Boxing and UFC by private jet: Las Vegas, night curfews, departure

Six to eight weeks, and dates or venues sometimes change up to the last moment. That is why the flight is confirmed once the fight is finally set — private aviation keeps up with that calendar.

Las Vegas and the T-Mobile Arena for the main UFC nights, Riyadh for the Riyadh Season superfights, and London and Manchester for the British shows.

Up to 19 on one aircraft. The price covers the whole jet, so travelling as a group works out cheaper per person.

Postponement terms are set in the charter contract along with the cancellation rules. They are worth discussing upfront — for events with a moving date this is the key clause.

The standard path takes 6–10 weeks. Step 1: a letter of intent (LOI) with price and terms — 3–5 days. Step 2: a 5–10% deposit into escrow and signing of the purchase agreement. Step 3: a pre-purchase inspection — 1–3 weeks. Step 4: rectification of findings and price adjustment. Step 5: closing — simultaneous transfer of funds, title and risk, technical acceptance and ferry of the aircraft.

A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is an independent check at a certified centre: airframe, engines, corrosion, records and compliance with airworthiness directives. It takes from 3 days on a turboprop to 2–3 weeks on a heavy jet and costs $15–100K — paid by the buyer. By market practice the seller pays to rectify airworthiness-affecting defects. A seller refusing a PPI is grounds to walk away.

The import budget depends on jurisdiction. In the EU the main items are any customs duty (most business-jet codes carry reduced or zero rates) and import VAT, which varies by country of entry (for example 19–22% in much of Europe). Registration in Aruba, San Marino or the Isle of Man under operation outside the EU allows a temporary-admission regime. We produce an exact calculation before the LOI is signed — an error here costs millions.

The standard is 24–48 hours before departure: that is enough to confirm the aircraft, crew and slots. For regular clients we arrange a domestic flight from 4–6 hours. International routes need 48–72 hours: overflight permits for some countries take 3–5 working days. On peak dates — Christmas, summer holidays, major forums — aircraft are booked out 2–3 weeks ahead, so plan early.

An empty leg is the ferry of an empty aircraft to its next job or home to base. Such segments sell at a 30–75% discount to the usual price: a flight that would cost $25K can come to $8–12K. The limits: the date and route are fixed to the aircraft's schedule, and if the main booking is cancelled the flight may shift. We publish current empty legs weekly — watch the listings.

Baggage is limited only by hold volume: a light jet takes 5–8 suitcases, while midsize and above fit skis, gun cases and golf bags — clear oversized cargo in advance. Pets travel in the cabin in a carrier or crate; a pet passport, microchip and documents for the destination country are required. Children fly from birth to 2 years with no surcharge.